Beginning in childhood and building cumulatively throughout your life, your social relationships can affect your health in both positive and negative ways. For example, those with strong social ties are often less likely to experience depression or other health problems.
Culture also has a great impact on our health. It affects how we perceive health, illness and death, as well as our beliefs about what causes disease. It can affect how we experience illness and pain, where and how we choose to seek help, and the types of treatments we are willing to undergo. Cultural respect within and among our community is imperative. Respecting each other’s beliefs, values and customs benefits all of us, and supports positive health outcomes.